Linda Sluiter, a certified interior redesign specialist and owner of Interior Artistry, shared her decorating expertise with more than 20 people recently who attended a Decorating for the Seasons program sponsored by the Lake County Public Library.

A Schererville resident, Sluiter began her career 12 years ago, painting rooms as a certified faux finish and stencil artist. She quickly realized it was just as much work to rearrange the items replaced in the room as it was to faux paint.

Wanting to expand to a full-service business, she became certified in real estate staging and redesign. She also speaks about redesign ideas and trends at community functions.

“Redesign is not about buying new furniture,” she said. “It’s about creating something different using the same items that are already in the home.”

Sluiter explained how items don’t always have to be used for the same purpose for which they were bought. Using cake stands as candleholders and serving trays as hanging pictures frames are just a few suggestions she made to spruce up a room.

She also talked about how color and fabric choices can dramatically change the feel and comfort of a room.

“It’s really about taking everything out and starting over again,” she said. “Rearranging the furniture and finding different uses for those sentimental items to coordinate with other rooms can dramatically change the look and comfort of a home.”

Sluiter added that when staging to sell a home, redesign is quite the opposite.

“Taking away personal items makes it easier for potential buyers to see themselves there,” she said.

Diana Bedella of Hobart attended the program to gain decorating ideas for her new home. “I’m moving soon and have a lot of things I don’t know what to do with anymore,” she said.

Pat Dunham, of Lakes of the Four Seasons, said she is always looking for new ideas to try. “I’ve always been interested in decorating, but having raised three boys on little money, I couldn’t always afford the changes I wanted,” she said.

Jennifer Burnison, the Lake County Public Library marketing manager, said the library is always looking for new art programs to offer the community.

“The best part about offering arts and craft programs at the library is that people can get tons of information about the topic by checking out related books before they leave,” she said.

“It’s a chance for people to understand more about the decorating business and gets more information out there about the industry.”

source : www.post-trib.com By Catherine Shipman Post-Tribune correspondent